不同供水条件对小麦强、弱势籽粒中淀粉粒度分布的影响

以3个淀粉含量不同的冬小麦品种山农12、鲁麦21和济南17为材料,设灌溉和旱作2种栽培处理,对不同水分条件下小麦强、弱势籽粒中淀粉粒的体积、数目和表面积的分布特征进行了研究.结果表明,小麦强、弱势籽粒均含有A(＞9.8 μm)、B(2.0～9.8 μm)、C(＜2.0 μm)3种类型的淀粉粒,但不同类型淀粉粒的分布状况存在明显差异.在强势籽粒中,淀粉粒的体积和表面积分布均表现为三峰分布,而弱势籽粒中淀粉粒的体积和表面积分布则表现为双峰分布.与弱势粒相比较,强势粒中C型淀粉粒(＜2.0 μm)的体积百分比为7.25%～9.31%,表面积百分比为34.88%～41.51%,而弱势粒的体积和表面积百分比分别为5.33%～6.40%和26.31%～33.54%.强、弱势籽粒中＜0.6 μm和0.6～2.0 μm范围内的淀粉粒数目存在明显差异,强势粒为1.86%～6.13%和83.77%～87.77%,而弱势粒为25.72%～37.42%和52.77%～58.48%.与灌溉栽培相比较,旱作栽培条件下籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比显著增加,而A型淀粉粒体积和表面积显著减少;弱势粒中＜0.6 μm的淀粉粒数目显著增加,强势籽粒中淀粉粒的数目无显著变化.与弱势粒相比较,强势粒中的蛋白质含量较高,C型淀粉粒的体积和表面积所占比例较大,而强势粒中的淀粉含量较低,且A、B型淀粉粒比例也较小.与灌溉栽培相比较,旱作栽培条件下强、弱势籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比增加,蛋白质含量也显著增加,淀粉含量降低.表明水分亏缺能提高籽粒中B、C型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比及蛋白质含量.     

小麦花后弱光引起籽粒淀粉的粒度分布及组分含量的变化

在籽粒灌浆阶段(花后1～30 d)对小麦进行光强为自然光照45%的弱光处理,研究了小麦籽粒淀粉粒度分布和组分含量的变化.结果表明,小麦籽粒淀粉粒体积分布呈双峰曲线,峰值分别在5.1～6.1 μm和20.7～24.9 μm,两峰值间的低谷出现在9.9 μm左右.表面积分布和数目分布分别表现为双峰和单峰曲线.小麦花后弱光显著降低2.8～9.9 μm淀粉粒体积百分比,增加22.8～42.8 μm淀粉粒体积百分比.同时花后弱光显著降低<0.8 μm和2.8～9.8 μm淀粉粒表面积百分比,增加0.8～2.8 μm和>9.9 μm淀粉粒表面积百分比.可见灌浆期弱光显著降低籽粒B型(＜9.9 μm)淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比,而A型(＞9.9 μm)淀粉粒比例相对增加.与A型淀粉粒相比,B型淀粉粒对弱光的反映更敏感.小麦弱光处理籽粒淀粉及其组分含量显著低于对照,但其直/支比较对照高.相关分析表明,籽粒直/支比与2.8～9.9 μm淀粉粒体积百分比呈显著负相关,而与22.8～42.8 μm淀粉粒体积百分比呈显著正相关.花后不同阶段弱光显著增加A型淀粉粒体积百分比、降低B型淀粉粒体积百分比,其中灌浆中、后期弱光影响程度较前期大.表明,弱光条件下小麦籽粒淀粉合成底物优先供应淀粉粒的生长,而非形成更多的淀粉粒.     

测墒补灌对不同穗型小麦品种耗水特性和干物质积累与分配的影响

在田间试验条件下, 以中穗型小麦(Triticum aestivum)品种‘山农15’和大穗型品种‘山农8355’为供试材料, 设置3个0-140 cm土层土壤相对含水量处理: W0 (拔节期65%, 开花期60%)、W1 (拔节期70%, 开花期70%)、W2 (拔节后8天70%, 开花后8天70%), 采用测墒补灌的方法补充土壤水分达到目标相对含水量, 对两个不同穗型小麦品种的耗水特性和干物质积累与分配进行了研究。结果表明: (1)两品种籽粒产量均以W0处理最低, ‘山农15’ W1和W2处理无显著差异, ‘山农8355’ W1处理显著高于W2处理; 两品种W1处理的水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率均显著高于W2处理。‘山农15’ W1处理的籽粒产量和灌溉水利用效率分别显著低于和高于‘山农8355’的W1处理, 水分利用效率无显著差异; 两品种W2处理的籽粒产量、水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率均无显著差异。(2)两品种总耗水量以W0处理最低, ‘山农15’ W1处理显著低于W2处理, ‘山农8355’两处理无显著差异; 两品种W1处理的土壤供水量及其占总耗水量的比例显著高于W2处理。‘山农15’ W1处理的总耗水量和灌水量占总耗水量的比例显著低于‘山农8355’, 土壤供水量占总耗水量的比例显著高于‘山农8355’; 两品种W2处理总耗水量, 土壤供水量及其占总耗水量的比例无显著差异。(3)两品种W1处理成熟期干物质积累量显著高于其他处理, W1处理提高了‘山农8355’开花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒的贡献率, 对‘山农15’无显著影响。‘山农15’ W1和W2处理成熟期干物质积累量显著低于‘山农8355’, 开花前贮藏同化物向籽粒的转运量和转运率、对籽粒的贡献率均显著高于‘山农8355’, 开花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒的贡献率低于‘山农8355’。综合考虑干物质积累与分配、籽粒产量、水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率, W1处理是两品种节水高产的最佳土壤相对含水量处理。     

小麦籽粒发育及淀粉晶体特性对花后高温胁迫的响应

选用2个品质类型和成熟期不同的新疆主栽小麦品种‘新春11号’和‘新春39号’,分别进行花后灌浆早期高温(花后5~8d,32℃,T_1)和中期高温(花后15~18d,38℃,T_2)处理,分析花后高温对小麦籽粒发育及淀粉晶体的影响。结果显示:(1)T_1处理明显降低了两品种籽粒长度和粒重,而T_2处理显著影响籽粒宽度和厚度;高温处理虽然降低了籽粒灌浆速率,但两品种灌浆最大峰值出现时间均在花后18d。(2)T_1处理对小麦籽粒A型淀粉粒形态的影响较大,中熟品种‘新春11号’的A型淀粉粒表面在花后10d时可观察到微孔,在花后15~20d时其粒径明显小于同期对照,在花后20~25d时淀粉粒表面压痕增多且A、B型淀粉粒表面出现明显缢缩;而早熟品种‘新春39号’淀粉粒形态和粒径大小受花后高温的影响相对较小。(3)两品种在不同高温处理下,其淀粉粒晶体特性衍射峰出现的位置相同,但淀粉粒的尖峰强度不同,表明高温胁迫不影响淀粉粒的晶体类型,但可能改变了淀粉粒内部的层状结构。研究表明,花后早期高温不仅对小麦籽粒外部形态有较大的影响,同时也影响到籽粒内部淀粉粒的形态和晶体的特性。     

花后高温对不同耐热性小麦品种籽粒淀粉形成的影响

以耐热性不同的2个小麦品种济麦20和鲁麦21为材料,分别于花后5～9d（T1）和15～19d（T2）进行高温处理,研究了小麦花后不同阶段高温对籽粒淀粉积累、淀粉粒分布及相关酶活性的影响。结果表明,花后高温显著降低籽粒淀粉积累量;显著降低籽粒淀粉及支链淀粉含量,但提高直链淀粉含量、直／支链淀粉比例。处理间比较,他处理对籽粒淀粉积累的影响程度较T1处理大。品种间比较,高温对济麦20的影响程度较鲁麦21大。高温使A型淀粉粒的体积、数量和表面积比例显著增加,B型淀粉粒的体积、数量和表面积比例显著降低。T1处理后,两品种籽粒蔗糖含量、蔗糖合酶（SS）和腺苷二磷酸葡萄糖焦磷酸化酶（AGPP）、可溶性淀粉合酶（SSS）、束缚态淀粉合酶（GBSS）和淀粉分支酶（SBE）活性均略高于对照;但济麦20、鲁麦21上述指标分别于花后15、20d开始低于对照。他处理后,两品种籽粒蔗糖含量、SS、AGPP、SSS、GBSS和SBE活性显著低于对照,济麦20上述指标的降幅较鲁麦21大。与其它淀粉合成相关酶相比,高温对籽粒GBSS活性的影响程度较小。两品种处理间籽粒蔗糖含量、SS、AGPP、SSS、GBSS及SBE活性的变化趋势,与淀粉积累量的变化趋势基本一致。说明灌浆期高温使籽粒淀粉积累量降低,一方面是由于籽粒蔗糖供应较低引起糖源不足;另一方面则是由于灌浆中后期淀粉合成相关酶活性下降使淀粉合成受抑所致。     

地下水埋深对辽宁中部地区玉米根系和干物质积累的影响

为探明地下水埋深对玉米干物质积累和根系生长的影响,在辽宁省灌溉试验中心站利用地下水模拟系统设置了1.0 m(D1.0)、1.5 m(D1.5)、2.0 m(D2.0)、2.5 m(D2.5)、3.0m(D3.0)、3.5 m(D3.5)和4.0 m(D4.0) 7个地下水埋深处理,分析了地下水埋深对春玉米干物质积累、根系和产量性状等的影响。结果表明:(1)在不同地下水埋深条件下根长、根表面积、根体积随着生育期推进呈增大趋势,且在各处理之间差异显著(P0.05),而根粗在灌浆成熟期先增大后减小。(2)在拔节期和灌浆成熟期,茎叶干物质积累量随地下水埋深增加先减小后增大,D2.0处理最低,较其他处理减少7.2%～19.5%;在灌浆成熟期,D2.5处理下穗部干物质积累量最低,较其他处理减少9.8%～24.8%;在抽雄吐丝期,D2.0处理下根部干物质最高,比其他处理高出7.2%～54.2%。(3)产量随地下水埋深增加而先减小后增大,D1.0处理产量最大,D3.0处理产量最低,D1.0处理比其他处理高出365～1790 kg·hm~(-2)。(4)将不同处理下干物质和根系各指标与产量进行多元回归和通径分析,结果表明,地下水埋深通过影响根系生长和干物质积累来影响产量,玉米产量与抽雄吐丝期的根长和根粗呈显著正相关,与根表面积、抽雄吐丝期茎叶干物质积累量和灌浆成熟期的根表面积呈显著负相关。研究成果可为辽宁平原及类似地区不同地下水埋深条件下玉米稳产高产提供依据。     

不同灌水处理对强筋小麦谷蛋白大聚合体粒度分布和品质的影响

在田间条件下,以两个优质强筋小麦品种(藁城8901和济麦20)为供试材料,研究了不同灌水处理(全生育期不灌水、拔节期灌1次水、越冬期和拔节期灌2次水、越冬期、拔节期和灌浆期灌3次水,每次灌水量675 m³·hm^-2)对强筋小麦谷蛋白大聚合体含量与粒度分布、品质和产量的影响.结果表明: 两个小麦品种的面团形成时间、面团稳定时间、面包体积、籽粒产量、谷蛋白大聚合体含量以及体积加权平均粒径、表面积加权平均粒径、粒径>100 μm的体积百分比和表面积百分比均以灌2水处理最高.相关分析显示,两个小麦品种的面团形成时间、面团稳定时间和面包体积与粒径<10 μm和10～100 μm的谷蛋白大聚合体颗粒体积百分比呈显著负相关,而与粒径>100 μm的谷蛋白大聚合体颗粒体积百分比、体积加权平均粒径和表面积加权平均粒径呈显著正相关.水分供应过多或过少均不利于籽粒产量和品质的同步改善,灌溉水平可通过改变谷蛋白大聚合体粒度分布影响小麦籽粒品质.     

强筋与弱筋小麦籽粒蛋白质组分与加工品质对灌浆期弱光的响应

选用强筋小麦品种济麦20和弱筋小麦品种山农1391,在大田试验条件下,分别于籽粒灌浆前期(花后6—9 d)、中期(花后16—19 d)和后期(花后26—29 d)对小麦进行弱光照处理,研究了籽粒产量、蛋白质组分及加工品质的变化。灌浆期弱光显著降低小麦籽粒产量,灌浆中期对济麦20和灌浆后期对山农1391的产量降幅最大。弱光处理后,籽粒氮素积累量及氮素收获指数减少。但弱光使籽粒蛋白质含量显著升高,其中灌浆中期弱光升幅最大,原因可能是由于其粒重降低造成的。弱光对可溶性谷蛋白无显著影响,但增加不溶性谷蛋白含量,使谷蛋白聚合指数显著升高,面团形成时间和稳定时间亦升高,籽粒灌浆中、后期弱光对上述指标的影响较前期大。灌浆期短暂的弱光照对改善强筋小麦粉质仪参数有利,但使弱筋小麦变劣;并均伴随籽粒产量的显著降低这一不利影响。     

保水剂和微生物菌肥配施对旱作燕麦干物质积累、分配、转运和产量的影响

针对旱作燕麦产量低而不稳的现状,选取旱作农业栽培中应用较广泛的保水剂和微生物菌肥,通过田间试验,设置单施保水剂(A)、单施微生物菌肥(B)、保水剂和微生物菌肥配施(AB)和不施用保水剂和微生物菌肥(CK) 4个处理,探讨配施后对旱作燕麦不同生育阶段干物质积累、分配、转运和水分利用的影响,以期为提高旱作燕麦产量提供有效措施。结果表明:保水剂和微生物菌肥单施和配施均能影响旱作燕麦不同生育阶段不同器官干物质积累量及其分配比例,促进干物质量生育前期由叶向茎转运,生育后期由茎叶向穗、籽粒转运,且在对分配比例影响中仅有配施(AB)在全生育时期与CK达到显著性差异,其中拔节期茎分配比例、开花期和灌浆期穗分配比例、成熟期籽粒分配比例较其余3个处理分别提高13.13%～28.61%、21.46%～36.45%、0.26%～3.94%,同时配施各生育阶段干物质积累量和水分利用效率均保持较高水平,且在播种-拔节和灌浆-成熟2个阶段与CK达到显著差异,干物质积累量提高41.98%～55.14%和2.64%～90.92%,对应水分利用效率提高40.92%～71.04%和4.96%～96.35%;保水剂和微生物菌肥单施和配施均能提高燕麦花后干物质积累量及其对籽粒产量贡献率,最终提高旱作燕麦产量,其中保水剂和微生物菌肥配施后效果显著优于两种单施处理,配施后花后干物质积累量提高8.38%～22.92%,花后干物质对籽粒产量贡献率提高0.18%～2.26%,籽粒产量提高8.40%～20.12%。     

喷施ABA对两个穗型不同小麦穗颈节伤流、穗部性状及产量的影响

以冬小麦品种山农8355和山农15为试验材料,研究了不同ABA喷期处理条件下,小麦花后穗颈节伤流变化及其对籽粒穗部性状与产量的影响。结果表明,多穗型品种SN15伤流强度呈现出单峰变化,而大穗型品种SN8355呈现一定的双峰变化趋势,其伤流强度在后期出现一个小高峰。不论是孕穗后期喷施ABA处理(T1)还是花后3d喷施ABA处理(T2),一定程度上均有利于花后穗颈节伤流的增加。各粒位籽粒粒重与体积在不同生育时期表现基本相同,大体上表现为T1处理较对照小,而T2处理则较对照大,即T2＞CK＞T1。施用ABA可改善穗部营养状况,最高增加穗粒数31.31%,平均提高小穗结实率2.79%,增加穗粒重7.90%-19.01%,并最终增加产量4.08%-9.81%。相关分析表明,穗颈节伤流强度在大多数生育时期与穗粒重关系密切,而群体伤流强度则与产量关系相对密切。研究表明,合理施用ABA能够调节小麦穗颈节伤流强度,从而可以优化穗部性状发育,利于产量的提高。     

The distribution and localisation of acid trimetaphosphatase in developing heterophils and eosinophils in the bone marrow of the fowl and the duck

Summary The distribution and localisation of acid trimetaphosphatase was investigated in developing heterophils and eosinophils from fowl and duck. In the heterophils of both species, trimetaphosphatase activity progressively increased in concentration from a thin peripheral band in the round immature primary granules to a fairly dense uniform reaction product in most of the mature specific spindle-shaped granules. Fowl and duck primary eosinophil granules had a similar distribution of reaction product as heterophils. In duck specific eosinophil granules the crystalline interna or externa, or both regions, contained strong activity whereas in the fowl, the activity of the specific granules was strongly-uniform in appearance.     

The physical characteristics of anaerobic granular sludges in relation to their internal architecture

A range of granular sludges was taken from industrial anaerobic sludge blanket reactors treating a wide variety of wastewaters and a comparison was made between the polymers which were extractable from the granules and their internal structures. The study of the internal structure, using sequential staining of ultra-thin sections, showed the complexity of granular sludges. Much of the area was occupied by Gram-negative cells and the area which stained positive for protein was found to increase nearer the centre of the granules. This was accompanied by a decrease in the carbohydrate positive areas. Positive areas for lipid were widespread throughout the granules. Changes in the internal structure were observed when the type of wastewater treated by the granules was changed and a comparison between sludges treating the same type of wastewater showed that factors other than the nature of the substrate must be considered as parameters which will affect the structure of the granules. Although an appreciable variation in the granule strengths was noted, it was not possible to relate these differences, on an overall basis, to either the internal structure or the chemical composition of the extracted polymers. However, an examination of data for granules produced during the treatment of nominally similar wastes did suggest that there would be a relationship between polymer composition and granule strength in these cases.     

魔芋球茎贮藏淀粉和甘露聚糖粒的形态观察

在光学显微镜和透射电镜下观察了魔芋（Ａｍｏｒｐｈｏｐｈａｌｕｓｃｏｎｊａｃ）球茎中甘露聚糖粒和淀粉粒的形态。两种贮藏多糖分别位于不同的细胞中。淀粉粒在造粉体内发育,以复粒存在,用魔芋球茎仔茎茎尖为材料观察显示,淀粉粒的形成早于甘露聚糖颗粒的形成。甘露聚糖粒形态多数近随圆形,一些甘露聚糖颗粒内包含了针晶体,但多数的甘露聚糖粒内部不包含针晶体,由纯净的甘露聚糖构成。     

The lumenal domain of the integral membrane protein phogrin mediates targeting to secretory granules

Phogrin, a transmembrane glycoprotein of neuroendocrine cells, is localized to dense-core secretory granules. We have investigated the subcellular targeting of phogrin by analyzing the sorting of a series of deletion mutants to the regulated pathway of secretion in AtT20 cells. The lumenal domain as a soluble protein was efficiently routed to granules, based on a combination of morphological analysis and secretion studies. Sorting was not dependent on a candidate targeting signal consisting of an N-terminal conserved cysteine-rich motif. Both the pro-region and the lumenal domain of mature, post-translationally processed phogrin independently reached the granule, although the pro-region was sorted more efficiently. Once within the regulated secretory pathway, all phogrin lumenal domain proteins were stored in functional granules for extended periods of time. Thus, phogrin possesses several domains contributing to its targeting to the secretory granule. Our findings support a model of granule biogenesis where proteins are sorted on the basis of their biochemical properties rather than via signal-dependent binding to a targeting receptor. Sorting of integral membrane proteins mediated by the lumenal domain may ensure that functionally important transmembrane molecules are included in the forming granule.     

An age-related increase in resistance to DNA damage-induced apoptotic cell death is associated with development of DNA repair mechanisms

Neurons in the developing brain die via apoptosis after DNA damage, while neurons in the adult brain are generally resistant to these insults. The basis for this resistance is a matter of conjecture. We report here that cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) in culture lose their competence to die in response to DNA damage as a function of time in culture. CGNs at either 1 day in vitro (DIV) or 7 DIV were treated with the DNA damaging agents camptothecin, UV or gamma-irradiation and neuronal survival measured. The younger neurons were effectively killed by these agents, while the older neurons displayed a significant resistance to killing. Neuronal survival did not change with time in culture when cells were treated with C2-ceramide or staurosporine, agents which do not target DNA. The resistance to UV irradiation developed over time in culture and was not due to changes in mitotic rate. Increases in DNA strand breakage, up-regulation of the levels of both p53 and its phosphorylated form and nuclear translocation of p53 were equivalent in both older and younger neurons, indicating a comparable p53 stress response. In addition, we show that treatment of older neurons with pharmacological inhibitors of distinct components of the DNA repair machinery promotes the accumulation of DNA damage and sensitizes these cells to the toxic effects of UV exposure. These data demonstrate that older neurons appear to be more proficient in DNA repair in comparison to their younger counterparts, and that this leads to increased survival after DNA damage.     

Discovery and progress in our understanding of the regulated secretory pathway in neuroendocrine cells

In this review we start with a historical perspective beginning with the early morphological work done almost 50 years ago. The importance of these pioneering studies is underscored by our brief summary of the key questions addressed by subsequent research into the mechanism of secretion. We then highlight important advances in our understanding of the formation and maturation of neuroendocrine secretory granules, first using in vitro reconstitution systems, then most recently biochemical approaches, and finally genetic manipulations in vitro and in vivo. This work was supported by Fondation pour la Reserche Medicale (FRM 20051105487) and Cancer Research UK.     

The phenotype of soluble starch synthase IV defective mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana suggests a novel function of elongation enzymes in the control of starch granule formation

All plants and green algae synthesize starch through the action of the same five classes of elongation enzymes: the starch synthases. Arabidopsis mutants defective for the synthesis of the soluble starch synthase IV (SSIV) type of elongation enzyme have now been characterized. The mutant plants displayed a severe growth defect but nonetheless accumulated near to normal levels of polysaccharide storage. Detailed structural analysis has failed to yield any change in starch granule structure. However, the number of granules per plastid has dramatically decreased leading to a large increase in their size. These results, which distinguish the SSIV mutants from all other mutants reported to date, suggest a specific function of this enzyme class in the control of granule numbers. We speculate therefore that SSIV could be selectively involved in the priming of starch granule formation.     

Freeze-fracture study of the rat parathyroid gland under hypo- and hypercalcemic conditions,with special reference to secretory granules

Summary Freeze-fracture images of the parenchymal cells in the parathyroid gland of rats were observed after vitamin D₂ plus calcium chloride-suppression and EGTA-activation of secretion. In cells of the suppressed glands, large bulges protruded from the Golgi cisternae, and large granules with a stalk, which are identified as storage granules, suggest that, during maturation, some storage granules may be connected by long tubules with the Golgi cisternae and supplied with secretory products from the Golgi cisternae via these tubules.In the activated glands, presumptive exocytotic and endocytotic specializations of intramembranous particles of the parenchymal cell plasma membrane were frequently observed. In addition, elevations and complementary shallow depressions of various shape and extent were occasionally encountered in the intercellular space. From their morphological characteristics it was concluded that these originated from secretory granule cores, which are discharged from the parenchymal cells into the intercellular space by exocytosis, and it was suggested that discharged granule cores may retain their spherical shape until they fuse to form a flat conglomerate.     

Evidence that the ability to respond to a calcium stimulus in exocytosis is determined by the secretory granule membrane: Comparison of exocytosis of injected bovine chromaffin granule membranes and endogenous cortical granules inXenopus laevis oocytes

Summary 1. To understand better the mechanisms which govern the sensitivity of secretory vesicles to a calcium stimulus, we compared the abilities of injected chromaffin granule membranes and of endogenous cortical granules to undergo exocytosis inXenopus laevis oocytes and eggs in response to cytosolic Ca²⁺. Exocytosis of chromaffin granule membranes was detected by the appearance of dopamine--hydroxylase of the chromaffin granule membrane in the oocyte or egg plasma membrane. Cortical granule exocytosis was detected by release of cortical granule lectin, a soluble constituent of cortical granules, from individual cells.2. Injected chromaffin granule membranes undergo exocytosis equally well in frog oocytes and eggs in response to a rise in cytosolic Ca²⁺ induced by incubation with ionomycin.3. Elevated Ca²⁺ triggered cortical granule exocytosis in eggs but not in oocytes.4. Injected chromaffin granule membranes do not contribute factors to the oocyte that allow calcium-dependent exocytosis of the endogenous cortical granules.5. Protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters stimulates cortical granule exocytosis in bothXenopus laevis oocytes andX. laevis eggs (Bement, W. M., and Capco, D. G.,J. Cell Biol. 108, 885–892, 1989). Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester also stimulated chromaffin granule membrane exocytosis in oocytes, indicating that although cortical granules and chromaffin granule membranes differ in calcium responsiveness, PKC activation is an effective secretory stimulus for both.6. These results suggest that structural or biochemical characteristics of the chromaffin granule membrane result in its ability to respond to a Ca²⁺ stimulus. In the oocytes, cortical granule components necessary for Ca²⁺-dependent exocytosis may be missing, nonfunctional, or unable to couple to the Ca²⁺ stimulus and downstream events.